How To Prepare For Long-Term Cancer Treatment Abroad

radiotherapy centre - Breast Cancer Awareness

Deciding to have your cancer care abroad is a huge step, one that is typically taken because a specialist radiotherapy centre with state-of-the-art equipment is a significant part of the best course of treatment available to you.

Because radiotherapy is a diverse treatment that is used for a wide variety of treatment types that range in intensity from low-dose pain relief to precise single-session radiosurgery, people will spend varying amounts of time at our clinic in Austria.

A long-term course of medical treatment can sometimes be intimidating, as it will often involve lifestyle changes and changes to your schedule that may take some time to prepare for.

This can be compounded by travelling to another country for treatment and spending an extended stint away from home.

This is why we not only try to provide the best possible specialist cancer treatment from our clinic, but our holistic cancer team can also offer help with everything else that could become an issue during your stay, from mental and physical therapy to making arrangements to stay in Vienna so you do not have far to travel for regular treatments.

Do As Much Research As Possible Before You Travel

A lot of the preparatory work will take place quite some time before your flight to Vienna, and our cancer team in Vienna will often talk to your local doctor or specialist oncologist before any travel arrangements are made.

There will typically be discussions between our medical staff and your local medical team in order to swap medical details and to ensure that the treatment we offer is the best treatment plan for you, so you can make an informed choice.

Find out what medical insurance you need and what it covers, as you may require a specialist plan if you are travelling for planned treatments. As well as this, make sure you have any relevant visas and explore transport and accommodation options. We will help with all of this using our special international patient care team.

Our team will provide a detailed, clear treatment plan, including how many treatments you need, the length of your stay, and any expected follow-up care. We will also be more than happy to answer any questions you have about your treatment.

Finally, ask about aftercare and how long it will take following the final part of your treatment before you are fit to fly home. Some treatments require more recovery time than others, and it is important to be safe.

Look For Local Support Groups

Wherever you have cancer treatment, support groups can be essential for helping you to understand what your treatment may entail and see people on different steps of the journey you are to embark on.

They will be able to offer advice, explain their experiences and provide companionship during a rather unfamiliar time in a rather unfamiliar place.

As well as this, many people who have had treatment with us before will be happy to talk to you about their experience with us specifically.

Visit Our Clinic Before Treatment

We will proudly show you our state-of-the-art clinic with specialist Elekta Linear accelerators (LINAC) machines, but we would also strongly recommend coming to see us ahead of your first appointment to see the clinic, meet the team in person and have any questions you have of us answered.

Our experience means that we can answer a broad range of questions, from the specifics of the radiotherapy machines we use to recommendations for hotels, cafes and parks nearby to unwind after your appointment.

Make Sure To Pack A Cancer Care Bag

A cancer treatment bag is an essential and often rather personal, packed bag with essentials to make every appointment easier.

As you will be away from home for a long stretch of time, these creature comforts are more important than ever before, and whilst some essentials can be bought whilst in Vienna, others should be packed in your luggage and taken with you.

Here are some recommended items to bring with you from home as opposed to buying whilst in Austria:

  • A comforter, which may include a pillow, a blanket or a cuddly toy to help you get comfortable whilst waiting for your appointment or during longer treatment sessions.
  • Warm, loose clothes to help manage the chill that comes with cancer fatigue. Thick, soft socks are particularly vital to stop heat escaping.
  • Your phone, a laptop or a tablet with movies and shows to watch to pass the time.
  • A notepad and pencil to write or sketch ideas and thoughts.
  • Keepsakes to ensure you know that back home, people are there for you.
  • Immobilisation mask
  • High-factor sun cream
  • Gentle moisturiser

Alongside these, pick up some unscented doctor-approved unscented moisturisers and lip balm, water and nutritious snacks if you are waiting a while.

Patients can, of course, visit the centre before the treatment. We also provide a virtual video consultation for foreign patients before they make a decision to come for treatment here.